[AdamK127]

Hi All,

Whenever I started studying back in November, I remember how everyone said life happens and sometimes you aren’t able to study as much. I shrugged it off and continued onward. The holidays came in December and I got massively busy at work, I was working 10-12 hr days until Christmas. During that time I decided to stop studying for awhile, apply for my NTS, and start up again. Because of my work and more responsibilities getting added to my role, this month long break lasted until the middle of February.

I started up from scratch but because of various family obligations I was not able to study as much as I could. It was partially my own fault, but that happens. Now my NTS expires in June. I was approved and have scheduled the test for the 6th of June for FAR. Now–I have started specific transactions events etc today. I was not entirely confident in financial statement accounts and want to review the past items as well. I made a list of topics I definitely wanted to review. However I am looking at the massive amount of material and thinking, how am I going to get this all done. I want to get the best score that I can, are there any items in the upcoming lessons that I could skip as they are not tested frequently?

I am already in the mindset that if I don’t pass I am going to take it as a learning experience and move on forward. There is still time to get many sections done before the changes. I guess besides the question above, I am mainly asking how I can get more studying time in my life? I am working 40 hrs a week and that can’t change, I am very close to my family and try to get some time in with them when I can (I live an hr away from my parents). Basically I come home from work exhausted, try to study and it seems like some days I can retain a lot of information and others I can not as well.

Some other information: I am using CPA excel and this is my first time taking the exam so I don’t have the ordeal of any test expiring.

FAR---52, **Currently Reapplied, getting ready to tackle again**
AUD---TBD
REG---TBD
BEC---TBD

[marqzho]

Check out ELL plan

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[Spartans92]

Sorry was gonna ask what ELL plan was.. until I saw the link.

BEC- PASS

[wombataholic]

1. If your plan to pass the exam involves skipping sections of material and praying that the sections won't be tested, you're not going to pass. It's a rule of the exam: Whatever you didn't prepare for will inevitably be tested. It's karma, or something.

2. If you really want to pass, you're going to have to carve out time to study, and for a lot of candidates that means taking time away from family/friends for a few months. As for myself, my wife would tell me that our 2 year old daughter would walk around that house calling for me and asking her where papa was. It hurt my heart, but I continued on because failure meant even more time away from them with nothing to show for it.

3. Don't go in with the approach that this attempt is a learning experience. Approach the exam like you're going to pass it.

Licensed CPA
Passed each section on the first try with Ninja Notes/MCQ/Audio

[SpiritofGod]

Well said wombataholic. Study practice, study practice, NO shortcut. This is cpa first law of passing.

[Missy]

Life is going to happen, people do this all the time with full time jobs and family obligations. If you're not MAKING the time to study, wait until you are able to make this a priority regardless of what else is going on. It may mean waking up earlier, staying up later, giving up some of your social time, and fitting studying into every possible available moment.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Jdn9201]

I agree with everything said above. Although it's going to be more difficult, you still have time if you make it a priority now. I passed FAR with 3 weeks of studying, but all I did was work, sleep, and study. Here are some tips that I learned that worked for me:

1. Use the content specific outline from the AICPA. I used it as a guide to determine where to spend my time and I thought it was very helpful.
2. My minimum comfort level on each section before moving on was being able to narrow down an MCQ about that topic to the 2 best possible answers. I also took quizzes every 3 chapters and wouldn't move on unless I scored around 70 on them. I agree that you can't skip any section, but don't expect yourself to be 100% on everything. You don't have time to be a perfectionist, and it's next to impossible to know everything for FAR. Keep in mind there's an opportunity cost – for whatever extra time you spend on one section, it will mean less time available to spend on everything else.
3. Don't forget the AL – especially the interpretation sections. There are buried points for SIMs but you have to know the AL to be able to use it.
4. Doing MCQ's – focus on the answer explanations. Knowing why an answer is right or wrong is just as important as knowing the answer itself.
5. Exam timing – do your best to leave yourself 2 hours for SIMS. Don't get bogged down on MCQ's. I never flagged any questions – I read each one twice, and if I didn't know the answer, I would pick the best one and move on.

Good luck!

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[ABTX411]

If you really want to be a CPA, you’ll do whatever it takes. I work full-time, I’m finishing my master’s degree, and I have primary custody of my 6 year old daughter. It’s these responsibilities and obligations that have given me the kick in the ass that I needed to get through the process as quickly as possible – almost exactly 4 months from start to finish. I have one test left (assuming I passed FAR on 4/19), which I will be sitting for on 5/14. I promised my daughter that I’ll be finished with school and the CPA exam before she graduates from kindergarten. I fully intend to keep this promise, so I study even when I feel like I can’t do it. I typically end up studying after I put my daughter to bed until I literally pass out from exhaustion, which usually ends up being from 10 pm – 12 or 1 am. Every once in a while, I’ll make it all the way to 2 am. Then I wake up at 6:45 the next morning to get ready for work. On week nights when my daughter is with her father (typically 1 – 2 nights per week), I start studying at the office when I’m done with my work for the day (around 6 pm), and don’t go home until about 10:30 pm. On Saturdays when she’s with her dad (every other Saturday), I study from 10 am until midnight, with short breaks every few hours to eat or relax my brain. Every other Sunday, I end up getting in about 3-5 hours of study time before my daughter comes home. On weekends when she’s with me, I typically only get 2-4 hours at night after she goes to bed. Essentially, I have no life at the moment, and I barely sleep, but that’s ok. The process is almost over, and I know that I’m still not putting in nearly as many study hours as most people do. My scores are still high, but that’s because I retain information really well. If you’re not willing to put in the time it takes to adequately retain the information, then you won’t pass unless you are a savant.

I’ve used Wiley for every section, and I think it’s a good program. Here’s what you can do to make the most of it over a short period of time:

1. Listen to the lecture videos in the background while you work. You probably won’t absorb the full spectrum of the material, but it’s better than nothing.
2. Work the EQs (exam questions) in “study mode” – this will provide full text explanations for why each answer is wright or wrong. Make sure you understand why the right answers are correct, AND why the wrong answers are not correct.
3. If you have access to the Wiley test bank, work the questions in practice mode. This has the same benefit as #2 above.
4. If you find an area where you are underperforming, go back and read the study text, work the PQs (proficiency questions), and do any supplemental questions available.
5. Do as many TBS problems as you can. After you complete the TBS, you can review the correct answers and explanations by clicking on “details.” This is not as important for BEC as it is for the others, FAR and REG in particular.

Good luck to you.

BEC - 90 - 2/04/2016
AUD - 97 - 2/29/2016
FAR - 92 - 4/19/2016
REG - 88 - 5/19/2016

[Credit Revenue]

I will have a beer in your honor after my exam tomorrow ABTX. I can 100% relate, but you are even going harder than I am. I know you have to be ready for a break.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Credit Revenue]

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[ABTX411]

Thanks Credit Revenue. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ready for a break. 2 weeks to go. I just have to pass. PLEASE, GOD, LET ME PASS!!!!

BEC - 90 - 2/04/2016
AUD - 97 - 2/29/2016
FAR - 92 - 4/19/2016
REG - 88 - 5/19/2016

[Credit Revenue]

I am saying the same prayer. Good luck!!

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[ABTX411]

Good luck to you too!

BEC - 90 - 2/04/2016
AUD - 97 - 2/29/2016
FAR - 92 - 4/19/2016
REG - 88 - 5/19/2016

[SpiritofGod]

@ABTX, wow,amazing and very encouraging! Good job almost well done!

[Anonymous]

jeez @ABTX411 & @wombataholic you guys rock!

@OP, i always read (and continue to read) this forum for inspiration. if people pass while having young children, while pregnant, while working 60 hours a week, etc etc then my 40 hour job is not an impediment. i basically have no obligations outside of work (social life can wait.) no obligations = no excuses

[AdamK127]

Wow thanks everyone, a lot of good ideas and words of encouragement. I really appreciate everything and will take this all to heart and beat this monster.

FAR---52, **Currently Reapplied, getting ready to tackle again**
AUD---TBD
REG---TBD
BEC---TBD

[Author]

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